about the talking fish

Thursday, February 19, 2004

After going without a major purchase in quite a long while, I happened to go shopping in Robinsons Place Manila for badminton shoes to relieve my quick-wearing Filas (after my usual Dance Maniax 2nd Mix workout). On more than one occasion I've slipped on the courts because of the rapidly wearing soles on that pair.

Came across a good pair at just about the right price. I'm now shod with silver/black Yonex World Champion 2s at PhP2,500---my personal psychological price limit for new non-dress shoes.

They're a tad bit loose around my ankle, but as long as I tie them tight they fit quite well. Tried some usual maneuvers on the sports shop too---lunges, jumps and other badminton moves---just to get a feel of how they'd work on the court. I must say I'm impressed. The soles are even thin enough for me to perform a proper heel-and-toe.

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

On Valentine's Day I got my car checked for its regular 40,000-km periodic maintenance, and also had it inspected for any defects and malfunctions. Turns out I need to replace my power steering column, get new tires and then get them all aligned.

Sigh...maintaining a car is expensive! Just when I was beginning to earn money of my own...
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Got to watch "Vanilla Sky" that night and it was pretty good. At least it was more substantial than simply being a Penelope Cruz-Tom Cruise starring vehicle...it had a little more meat into it than I thought.

It's a good flick to watch.

I even sort of enjoyed watching "2Fast 2Furious" because it wasn't the racer-wannabe movie the first one was. It's over-the-top in its stunts, true, but at least there's now a clear demarcation line in the film that tells us that it's just a movie.

Hmmm...I noticed I'm watching more and more movies lately. I must be trying to keep up with my movie drought these past 6 months.
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Nicole's probably going to drag me into watching more recent movies next term. I already asked her about enrolling in Economics 3 and she was game.

I miss her and her craziness.
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Today I left early to claim my confiscated license back once and for all.

Left home at 7am and arrived at LTO's head office around 8. After the informative and entertaining seminar and answering all those 60 exam questions, I paid up the fee for my violation (PhP510 for "reckless driving"---probably what speeding falls under) and waited in the heat.

At 12 noon, hungry and thirsty, I finally got my license back. I took the initiative to brave the noontime southbound traffic along EDSA and get back to my Marketing Research class at 1pm...and I made it just in time. I even got to refuel my car along the way.

Not bad for a day's work...but I wish the waiting time was decreased. I even wish we never had to have our licenses confiscated, just like in other countries where they use a demerit system instead.

Wishful thinking, yes.
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GTO seems to have ended its run on Animax...and I enjoyed every rollicking minute of it. I'm going to miss that anime. I still hope there's more in store though. Onizuka and his class are well worth watching over and over again, over all 42 or so episodes.

Friday, February 13, 2004

My car's due in for its 40,000-km maintenance servicing. I gotta do my City a favor and have it thoroughly checked. Strange little things have been happening with me behind the wheel, not least of which is an ominous metallic sound I heard from below. Couldn't tell whether it was just rocks hitting the underpinnings, or something more serious.
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I was caught for speeding on the Skyway last Sunday---with my mom in the front seat.

I was caught by a radar gun rolling along at 116 km/h where I should've been going at 100. Apparently there were a lot of offenders caught unaware that the 100 km/h limit was now being strictly enforced along the 8-km elevated highway. I saw the cop's list and it had cars going at 140-150 km/h (so I guess I wasn't doing too bad after all).

Wednesday afternoon (my birthday), I drove along EDSA to get to the LTO main office along East Ave. to claim my license back. Unfortunately after braving all that traffic and dodging all those errant buses hot on swapping paint with me, I got there only to have my ticket renewed. They said they didn't have my license yet and I should come back on the 17th.

Major hassle. To think that I'm probably going to have to attend that stupid 2-hour seminar of theirs and pay a fine, not to mention having to brave long lines.

I'm boycotting the Skyway...unless it's an important situation. I've figured out potential reasons why the lower level of the South Luzon Expressway isn't as vigorously monitored...I'll take my chances there.
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Birthday was pretty okay. Since it was also my mom and dad's wedding anniversary we had dinner out at Outback Steakhouse in Alabang. Got some money from relatives too.

Was rummaging the sports stores in Robinsons Place earlier that afternoon. Found a pair of Yonex AR65 badminton shoes selling for only PhP2,400. What a steal!

Too bad that was the last pair, and it was nowhere close to accommodating my size-9 feet.

Oh well.
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I am doomed with the curse of good memory. Now that I'm 21, I should learn how to forget.

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

There's a lot of things I wanted to post and talk about but sadly I'm kinda pressed for time. They'll have to wait until I get to spend longer hours online.

In the meantime I am touched that so many people greeted me on my birthday (even a day early). Most touching was the overwhelming greeting from HCP, since I'd been gone from their boards for almost 3 months. They've got a new IPB-powered forum, by the way.

Cher also called me at midnight while I was watching "Hannibal" on VCD for my detective fiction class.

Tuesday, February 03, 2004

Played five games of badminton yesterday. 3 wins, 2 losses. Not bad at all, I guess. Coach Rey remarked that I got stronger on court already.

I got to meet a couple of guys new to the sport and were seriously enjoying it, even though they didn't have rackets of their own yet. Even without training, Val and Rey played pretty well, unlike how I did in my first couple of games. Val was a regular at the PAF gym, while pilot Rey used to play tennis.

With a bit of training they'll be better. I'm looking forward to playing against them sometime.
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Badminton is taking a toll on me, I guess. Not that I'm complaining though.

Every night I just plop off to sleep satisfied, aching muscles and all. My blood pressure's at 90/70 mm Hg and my resting heart rate's at a low 68 bpm. That's always good.

Now if I could just lose more weight...
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The results of our STAT102 quiz came out yesterday. Apparently I did well enough to ace the test. I was kinda embarrassed by the attention I got from my former STAT101 classmates, but was satisfied anyway.
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